Electric timer



Oct 13, 1942. g. F. LEATHERS 2,298,570

ELECTRIC TIMER Filed June 23. 1939 s Sheets-Sheet 1 as fic i avwc/wkm Oct. 13, 1942. c, F; LEATHERS 2,2985%? ELECTRIC TIMER Filed June 23, 1959 3 Sheets-sheet 2 Chaim: 022mm Oct. 13, 1942. c. F. LEATHERS ELECTRIC TIMER Filed June 23, 1939 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNITED S ATES PATENT OFFICE memo 'mma Chester 1'. Leathers, Chilllcothe, Ohio, assignor to Weltmnio Corporation. Detroit, Mich.

.ac m- Application June 28, 1939, Serial No. 280,803

M invention relates to an electric timer that may be used ior the purpose oi controlling time periods oi operation oi apparatus, machines, and devices oi dlil'erent iorms to cause sequential periods or steps oi operations that are oi like or dissimilar character, or to produce intermissions oi predetermined length between operations oi by the apparatus or device, to limit such periormance to a desired period and;where more than one condenser is used, the condensers are interconnected by condenser-controlled elements to produce the proper sequence oi controland, thus, cause the time operations, as well as predetermined periods oi operations, of the parts oi the apparatus or device that coact to produce the ilnal desired results that the apparatus or device is intended to periorm. The condenser or the condensers are charged by a source oi direct cur- 12 Claims. (Cl. 175-320) parting irom the spirit oi the claims as hereinaiter appended. The particular timer systems containing my invention are described hereinaiter and diagrammatically shown in the drawings iorminga part hereoi.

Fig. 1 illustrates, diagrammatically, a welding apparatus and a timer-controlling system for controlling the welder apparatus to cause the time.

production oi a welding pressure ior a predetermined interval oi time, and the flow oi the welding current within the pressure period, the said pressure period iollowed by the cessation oi the welder pressure ior a predetermined interval oi Fig. 2 illustrates, diagrammatically, a welder apparatus and a timer-controlling system ior causing the production oi a welding pressure for a predetermined interval oi time and ior rent and they are interconnected to produce the required sequential discharge, which, through their connection with parts oi the apparatus or devices, causes initiation and periorm'ance oi the will appear irom the following description and upon examination oi the drawings. The invention may be contained in apparatus and systems of diiierent iorms and, to illustrate a practical application oi the invention, I have selected, as

an example oi the embodiments oi the invention, three timer-controlling systems, each oi which is connected to a spot welder apparatus or system causing the flow oi welding current ior a predetermined interval oi time within the pressure period, the flow period being initiated at the expiration oi a predetermined interval oi time subsequent to the initiation oi the pressure period, and the flow period terminating beiore the cessation of the pressure period ior a predetermined interval of time, the pressure period iollowed by" a predetermined interval oi time, during which the work or the welder may be moved, one relative to the other. Fig. 3 illustrates. diagrammatically, a welder apparatus and a timer-controlling system ior causing the production oi a welding pressure ior a predetermined interval oi time and for causing the now oi a welding current ior a pluralit oi predetermined intervals oi time separated by predetermined intervals oi time and within the pressure peri0d, the first oi the flow periods being initiated at the expiration of a predetermined interval oi time subsequent to the initiation'oi the pressure period, and the last of the intervals oi the flow period terminat-- 40 ing beiore the cessation oi the pressure period ior a predetermined interval oi time, the pressure I period iollowed by a predetermined interval oi to cause the desired sequential operations and intermissions betweenoperations oi parts. in order to produce desired results in such apparatus, and shall describe the timer'systems, as thus applied, hereinaiter, it being understood that variations may be made in the system and time, during which the work or the welder may bemoved, one relative to the other.

In the iorm oi apparatus and systems shown in Fig. 1, the welder apparatus is connected to a source oi supply of electric current through the lines I by means of a suitable main line switch I. The iiow oi the current, through the switch 8) is controlled by a contactor switch l0, which is actuated by a solenoid II to complete a circuit through the primary l2 oi the transformer N to produce the flow oi the welding current through the secondary It. The secondary i5 is connected to the electrodes l1 and ll of the spot welder 20, which is of the type manually manipu- 1 able pipe 22 as controlled by a valve 24. If desired, a booster or-other pressure-translatiizig means may be located intermediate the valve 24 and the welder 20 to produce a desired high pressure to enable the production of a required welding pressure of the electrodes against the work by the use of a relatively small welder cylinder, or to produce any high pressure that may be required in order to produce the required welds between the parts of the work 2!. h In the form of construction shown in Fig. 1, a pneumatic-hydraulic booster 25 is located intermediate the valve 24 and the welder 20, and the pressureproduced by the booster is transmitted through a liquid, such as oil, located in the pipe 21 and the chambers and passages connected therewith. Air under pressure is, thus, transmitted through the pipe 22 to the booster 25, which magnifies the pressure, and the force 'produced is transmitted through the pipe 21 and to the welder 20. The valve 24 is electromagnetically operated by means of the solenoid 28 to cause the transmission of pressure to the welder and the solenoid H,- which, when operated, causes the flow of the welding current through the work. The energization of the solenoids II and 28 are controlled by the timercontrolling system.

The'timer-controlling system is connected to a source of supply of current through the lines 30 by means of the switch 3|. Assuming that the source of supply through the lines 30 is an alternating current, the current used for controlling the welder apparatus may becaused to flow through a rectifier 32, that is connected to one of the lines 30, through the lines 34 and '85. Preferably, a condenser 31 is connected across the lines 39 and 40 to produce a substantialiy constant flow of unidirectional current in the lines 39 and 40.

In order to initiate the cycles of operation of the welder apparatus, through the operation of the control system, the main line switches I and 3| are closed and the rectified current flows through the line 40, the line the movable contact 52, the line 54, through the resistor 55, the solenoid 51 of the relay 58, the line 80, to the line 39, which maintains the solenoid 51 enersized and its contacts down. When the operator has placed the welder 20 in position to produce a spot weld on the work, a switch 4| is manually closed. In machine welders wherein the work is usually moved relative to the welders, a switch may be automatically closed by the machine to initiate the operations that are initiated by the closure of the switch 4|. nected to the line 34, by the line 42, and, when operated, connects the line 34, through the lines 42 and 44, to the solenoid 45 of the relay 41, which is connected to the line 39. The solenoid Jgized by the closure of the-switch n atld'li;

contacts moved down, the circuit from the line to the solenoid 51, through the movable con tact 52, is opened and the solenoid 51 of the rea lay 58 becomes de-energized and its contacts are raised. A circuit from the line 39 through the solenoid 28, is, thus, completed and the air valve ,24 is operated by the flow of current through '62 closes a circuit when the pressure in the welder rises to a predetermined point, depending upon the adjustment of the pressure switch. The electrodes H and I8 of the welder 20 are brought into engagement with the work 2i to complete the circuit of the secondary is through the electrodes and the work. When the pressure has reached the required predetermined point and the pressur switch 62 is closed, a circuit is completed from the condenser 68, whichis connected to the line 70, and discharges through the line 61, the movable contact II, which is now up, to the line 12, the resistor 14, the solenoid '25, through the line TI, to the pressure switch 62, the

line 18, to the line HI, and, depending upon the adjusted capacity of the condenser 88, the current will continue to flow through the solenoid I5 01' the relay 85 to energize the solenoid and move the contacts of the relay .5 down and close certain of the contacts. Upon closure of the movable contact 80, the circuit is completed from The switch 4| is coni 44 is an alternating-current solenoid and causes theretore,the solenoid 4! or the relay 4'! isener 15 the condenser 81, from the line 40, through the line 82, the contact 80, to theline 84,'the condenser Bl, which is connected through the 'line ill, to the line and thehohdenserigli charged.

Upon the operation of the relay not only the condenser BI is charged, but, also. the circuit from the line 39, through the movable contact I], to the line 88, and the solenoid H or hector switch :0 is completed to the line u!" energization of the solenoid ll operates the con-.

'if desired, may, also, be adjustable to vary the current quantity that may be discharged,per unit of time, by the condenser. Thus, the welding current flows through the electrodes from the time that the pressure in the welder has risen to a point to complete the operation of the pressure switch 02 and the current continues to flow until the dielectric current from the condenser 88 ceases to flow through th solenoid ll ofthe relay 85. Upon th de-energization of the solenoid II of the relay 8!, the circuit throughthe solenoid ll of the contactor switch "is 'de-energized by the operation or the relay II, which then raises'its contact. The contactor switch l0 opens the circuit 0! the primary II of the transformer l4 and the welding current ceases to flow..

Also, upon de-energization of the solenoid ll of the relay II, the solenoid I] is energized The movable contact 04 of the relay 44 then closes the circuit from the charged condenser II, which was charged when the solenoid II of the relay 44 was energised. The circuit, thus closed, is through the line 44, the movabl contact 24, the line I, the resistor 55, the solenoid 41, the line 44, the line III, to the other side of the condenser ll, whereupon, the solenoid 51 is energized to open the circuit from the line 44, through the movable contact 42, to the solenoid 24, and the line 24. Thus, the valve 24 is operated to release the pressure in the welder 24, subsequent to the operation of the contactor switch I4, and the pistons of the welder and the booster return to.

their original positions.

In themeantime, the dielectric current from the condenser 4| continues to flow through the solenoid I'I oi the relay is to prevent restoration of the relay '4 by th de-energization of the solenoid 51. This gives a limited time within which the welder may be shifted and placed in position for the production of the succeeding weld.

Upon the de-energization of the solenoid II, the movable contact 42 again closes the circuit of the solenoid 24, which connects the line 24 with the line II, to the solenoid 24, and the line 2!, whereupon, the valve 24 is again operated to connect the booster 25 to the source of. supply of fluid under pressure, and the booster 2!.again produces a pressure in the pipe 21, which is connected to the welder 20, and the pressure rises to the predetermined welding pressure. This reestablishes the circuit from the condenser 44, through the line 41, the movable contact 'II, the line 12, the resistor I4, the solenoid II, the line II, to the pressure switch 82, and to the line II. This causes the relay 8! to reestablish the circuit of the contactor switch III and the welding current is again caused to flow through the electrodes.

Thus, the cycle of operation continues as long as the operator maintains the switch 4| closed.

erted, the welding current is caused to flow and iiows for a predetermined interval of time. Also, in the form of controlling system shown in Fig. 2, provision is made for maintaining the pressure, following the formation of the weld, to retain the parts in position until the weld has cooled and hardened suilicient to hold the parts in contact with each other. This is of particular advantage where localised deformations occur in the line of the welds and the parts of the work have been forced into shape by the welder, and the metal has considerable elasticity which would cause separation of the parts unless held in contact with each other by the pressure of the welder.

Closure ofthe switch I completes the circuit of the welder apparatus to the main lines I. When the switch II is closed, the circuit is established with-a rectifier I2 and its associated condenser 21, to produce a rectified current in the circuit of the lines 29 and 40. Closure of the switch 2| causes charging of the adjustable condenser IOI by its connection to the line 40 and,

' 20. The solenoid III of the relay III! is ener- The cycle of operations may be discontinued at any timeand for any purpose, such as'for replacing the work.

To prevent interruptions of the welding current by the operation of the switch H, in advance of. the completion of the weld, the relay II is provided, not only with the movable contact 41 that completes the circuit of the solenoid II of the contactor switch III, but, also. with a movable contact 84, which is closed at the same time the movable contact 81 is closed, and is located in a circuit paralleling that leading to and from the switch 4|, in order to maintain the completion of the flow of the current through the solenoid 4! during the period of the flow of the welding current through th solenoid II of'the contactor switch II.

In the form of control system illustrated in Fig. 2, the welder is caused to produce its maximum welding pressure, in advance of the initia-- tion of the flow of the welding current, in order to, if necessary, reshape the portions of one or both parts of the metal in the region of the weld that is to be produced. This is at particular advantage where the surfaces do not make, at each of the points at which the'weld is to be produced, a close contact, and the welder is given an opportunity to force the metal, at such points, together. This occurs where there is any buckling, irregular formation, or imperfections in they shaping of the metal. when the maximum presalso, its connection through the line I02, the movable contact I44 of the relay IN, to the line gized, and the condenser I22 is charged by the connection of the solenoid and the relay with the line 42, through the lines Ill and H4, the movable contact II! of the relay II2, the line I23, to-the line It.

To initiate the operation of the welder apparatus, the switch II is operated by the operator,

to complete a circuit from the line 4|, through the movable contact Ill of the relay I04, whose solenoid is de-energized, to the line I ll, the solenoid III of the relay III, to the line, II4, the

' switch 4|, to the line 32 and, also, from the line IIII, to the condenser II, which is, also, connected to the line II4. This causes the energization of the solenoid III of the relay H2 and, also, charges the adjustable condenser Hi. I

The operation of the relay II2, by the operation of the solenoid II I; causes the energization of the solenoid 22, and the valve 24 is operated. The solenoid 24 is connected to the line 24 and to the line I22, which is connected, through the movable contact I2I of the relay II2, to the line 2!. The relay H2, also, operates its movable contact II! to open the circuit of the line 24 to the condenser I22 and the solenoid ill of the relay I05. The condenser I22 discharges through the solenoid III to maintain the solenoid Ill energized for a predetermined time, according to the adjusted capacity of the condenser I22. The period of the discharge of the condenser I22 affords opportunity for the welding pressure to rise, within the welder, to its maximum, and force the parts of the work together, if it should be so formed as to produce an imperfect contact, so that, when the welding current is caused to flow, a weld may be produced at the points of contact of the electrodes with the work.

When the dielectric current from the condenser I22 ceases to flow, the solenoid III of the relay I is de-energized to cause opening of the movable contact I04 and to close the contact H8. This connects the condenser IIII, through the line I02, through the movable contact Hi, the line I24, with the solenoid I25 of the relay I21, to the line 44, which is, also, connected to the condenser IIII, and its dielectric current actuates the relay I2I to complete the circuit of the contactor switch II, through the movable contact sure, producible by the apparatus, has been ex- 75 I24, which completes the circuit from the line 39, through the movable contact I29, the line I30, to the solenoid .II of the contactor switch I0, and to the line 34. Thus, the current. is caused to flow through the primary I2 of the transformer I4, which, in turn, causes the welding current to flow through the electrodes I1 and I8 and the work 2|, upon the expiration of the flow of the dielectric current, from the condenser |22. Also, upon the operation of the relay I2I, the movable contact |3| completes the circuit from the line 39, through the line I32, to the adjustable condenser I34, which is connected to the line 40 and, thus, causes the adjustable condenser I34 to be charged.

Upon the cessation of flow of the dielectric current from the condenser IN, the solenoid I25 of the relay I28 becomes de-energized, which operates to break the circuit through the movable contact I 8 and thesolenoid II of the contactor switch I0, and, at the same time, it breaks the connection of the condenser I34. with the line 39, through the movable contact I3| of the relay I27, whereby it has been charged, and connects the condenser I34 with the solenoid I33 of the relay I08, through the line I32, the movable contact I35, to the line I36, the condenser I34 and the solenoid I33 being both connected to the line 40. Thus, upon the cessation of the flow oi the welding current, the solenoid I33 of the relay I08 is energized and through the movable contact I'I, it opens the circuit from the line 40 and the line 0, to the condenser H5, and the solenoid I II of the relay 2, which is connected to the line 39, through the contact I31 of the relay 2. The condenser will now cause the dielectric current to flow through the solenoid III of the relay II 2 until the condenser H5 is discharged. Thus, the solenoid 28 is maintained energized and the valve 24 open to connect the source of supply of air under pressure to the welderapparatus, which maintains a pressure in the welder, subsequent to the cessation of the flow of the welding current, for a predetermined time, according to the adjustment of the condenser II5. This affords opportunity for the weld to cool while subjected to the pressure of the fluid in the welder. When the dielectric current, from the condenser I I5, ceases to flow through the solenoid I II of the relay I I2, the solenoid III is deenergized, and the operation of the relay 2 causes the solenoid 28 to become de-energized by the opening of the circuit of the solenoid 28, through the movable contact |2| of the relay 2, and the valve 24 is closed and the pressure ceases.

The-condenser I34, which was charged upon the operation of the relay I21, and its dielectric flow was initiated by the opening of the movable contact |3| of the relay I29, which operates to maintain the flow of the dielectric current to maintain the energization of the solenoid I33 of the relay I08 for a period to cover the weld-cooling time period and the off-time, or pressure release, period. The condenser I34 continues to discharge through the solenoid I33 01' the relay I08 to maintain the circuit open through the contact I01 and prevent the flow of the currentto the solenoid III, subsequent to the de-energization of the solenoid 28 and the cessation of pressure of the welder on the work, during which period, the welder may be moved to a succeeding point of the operation and where it is desired to produce a succeeding weld. Upon the cessation of the'flow of the dielectric current from the condenser I34, the movable contact I" is closed, which again causes the solenoid III to be energized, assuming that the switch 4| is held v closed by the operator. Upon the closure of the contact I01, the condenser 5 becomes charged and the solenoid III becomes energized, which causes the operation of the relay 2 to complete the circuit through the solenoid 28, which op erates the valve 24 to again produce the pressure in the welder 20. Thus, the cycle of operations repeat themselves as long as the switch 4| is held closed by the operator.

In order to prevent an interruption of the cycle of operation of the control system before the pressure release period occurs, the relay H2, which is held closed by the dielectric current of the condenser I I5, is provided with a movable contact I37, which is connected in parallel with the switch 4| to maintain the flow of the current in the parts of the control system until the relay ||2'h as been operated to open the shunt circuit of the switch 4| by the movable contact I31.

In the form of timer-control system illustrated in Fig. 3, the welding current is caused to flow intermittently and during periods of predetermined lengths, to enable the electrodes of the welder to cool. This is-for the Purpose of preventing the pressure and the heat from mushrooming the welder points, which often occurs where one or both of the parts of the work is formed of' relatively thick metal, which requires a considerable heat to raise it to a welding temperature and a considerable pressure to insure contact of the parts of the work with each other. A longer period of flow of the current is required to produce the high temperature, and, although the welding electrodes are artificially cooled by the fiow of the liquid through th interior of the electrodes, as is common, the applied heat at the points of the electrodes tends to produce mushrooming of the metal of the electrodes. By producing intermittent flow of:the current for controlled periods of time, the electrodes haveopportunity to respond to the cooling effects of the liquid without materially reducing the heat of the metal during the cooling periods of the electrodes.

When the main-line switch 3| is closed to connect the timer-control system with the main line 30 therectifier 32, and its associated condenser 31,.is connected to the main lines through the lines 34, 35 and 39 and the rectified potential difference is produced on the lines 39 and 40. The current oi the rectifier operates to, simultaneously, energize the solenoid I 4| of the relay I43 and to charge the adjustable condenser I42. The solenoid I is energized by the circuit from the line 40, through the'line I44, the movable contact I45 of the relay I48, the line I50, the solenoid I, to the line 39. The circuit divides and the current flows through the line I5I to the condenser I 42, which is connected to the line 39. In response to the energization of the solenoid I of the relay I43, the movable contact I52 is caused to complete a circiut from the line 40, through the line I54, to the condenser I55. The condenser I55 is connected to the line 39, which charges the condensers. Also, the movable contact I51 of the relay I43 completes the circuit from the line 40, through the line I53, the line I00, the condenser I5 I' which is connected tothe line 39, and the condenser I6| is, also, charged.

Upon the operation of the switch 4|, by the operator, a circuit is completed from the line 40, through the movable contact 2|3 of the relay I52, the line I64, to the switch 4| through the line I05, to the solenoid I 61 of the relay I49 and the condenser Ill, which are connected to the line ll. This produces simultaneous energization oi the solenoid Ill and charging of the adjustable condenser lll. l

Upon energization' of the solenoid Ill, the relay Ill operates the movable contact Ill to open the circuit to the solenoid Ill and the condenser Ill, which are connected to the line ll. It, also, closes the circuit from the line ll, through the movable contact Ill oi the relay Ill, to the line I'll, to the solenoid ll of the valve ll and to the line ll to cause the operation of the valve ll, which produces the operation of the booster ll and the welder ll to cause the welding electrodes II and Il to engage the work II for a pressure period.

The circuit of the solenoid Ill, having been opened by the movable contact Ill 01 the relay Ill, is now maintained energized by the discharge of the condenser Ill, which is -connected-to the solenoid Ill and, consequently, the dielectric current flows through the solenoid Ill to maintain the relay Ill in the position produced by the flow oi the current irom the line ll through the contact Ill oi the relay Ill. This produces the timed interval, which aflords opportunity for the welder to develop its maximum pressure on the work, and insures contact oi the parts of the work.

' Upon cessation of flow of the dielectric current from the condenser Ill, through the solenoid I the movable contacts or the relay Ill move upward and the circuit to the condenser Ill, which is connected to the line ll, through the movable contact Ill the relay Ill, the line Ill, and the line Ill, is broken and the condenser Ill is connected to the circuit of the solenoid I'll oi the relay I", through the movable contact I'll oi the relay Ill, to the line I", the movable contact Ill 01 the relay Ill, to the line IlI to the solenoid Ill oi the relay I'll, which is now energized by the dielectric current from the condenser Ill,

. which operates the relay I", to complete the circuit to the contactor switch III from the line ll, through the movable contact ll! of the relay IIl, the line Ill, the solenoid II of the contactor switch ll, to the line ll. The operation 01 the relay I'll completes a circuit through the solenoid II of the contactor switch ll to cause its operation and produce the ilow of the welding current through the electrodes I1 and Il and the work 2 I.

The relay Ill, also, breaks the connection of the I condenser Ill with the line ll by the movement 01- the movable contact Ill 0! the relay Ill, and the closure of the movable contact Ill 0! the relay Ill completes the circuit to the solenoid Ill oi the relay Ill and produces the flow of the dielectric current from the condenser Ill, through the line Ill, the movable contact Ill 0! the relay Ill, to the line Ill, through the solenoid Ill 0! the relay Ill, to the line ll, and the dielectric current from the condenser Ill, which is connected to the line ll, energizes the solenoid Ill to operate the relay Ill. The relay Ill maintains its movable contact lll closed for a predetermined time to enable the intercontrol oi the relays Ill and Ill that cooperate to produce the intermittent flow oi the welding current.

The welding current flow is maintained for a period of time, as determined by the adjusted capacity oi the condenser Ill, during which the solenoid I ll of the relay I'll is energized by the flow oi the dielectric current from thecondenser to the line Ill, to the condenser Ill, which is connected to the line ll, to charge the condenser Ill.

When the dielectric current from the condenser Ill ceases to iiow, the solenoid I'll is de-energized, which interrupts the iiow oi the current through the solenoid II of the contactor switch ll, and the welding current from the secondary ll discontinues for a period oi time, dependent upon the adjusted capacity of the condenser Ill.

The condenser Ill, which was charged when the solenoid ll! of the relay I" was energized,

is connected by the relay I" through the line Ill, the movable contact Ill, the line I", the movable contact Ill, the line 200, to the solenoid Ill 0! the relay Ill, which is connected to the line ll, and the relay I'll is maintained open during the period or discharge 0! the condenser Ill, as determined by its adjustment.

Upon the cessation of flow oi. the dielectric current of the condenser Ill, through the solenoid ill, the relay Ill is again returned to 'a position, such as to charge the condenser Ill. The current flows from the line ll, through the to the condenser Ill, which is connected to the line ll. This again charges the condenser Ill,

which is again discharged upon the de-energization of the solenoid Ill of the relay Ill, which occurs upon the cessation of flow of the dielectric current of the condenser Ill. welding current flows during periods of predetermined length, as determined by the adjusted capacity of the condenser Ill, and the periods of flow are separated from each other by intermittent periods, which are determined in their length by the adjusted capacity of the condenser Ill, and until the dielectric current oi the condenser Ill ceases to flow.

The condenser Ill was charged by the energization ol the solenoid Ill of the relay Ill by. closure of the main-line switch ll, and its dielectric current was initiated when the solenoid Ill or the relay Ill was deenergized, which disconnected the condenser from the rectifier to initiate the periodic flow oi the welding current. Upon the discontinuance of the flow of the dielectric current from the condenser Ill, thesolenoid Ill of the relay Ill becomes de-energized, which causes the movable contact Ill of the relay Ill to open the circuit of the solenoid ill of the relay I ll, through the line ill, and prevents the operation of the relay Ill to maintain the movable contact Ill in an open position and prevent the charge of the condenser Ill and the closure of the relay Ill, and, hence, the intermittent flo oi the welder current is discontinued.

When the solenoid Ill of the relay Ill is deenergized to permit the release of its movable contacts Ill, the solenoid Ill oi the relay Ill is energized to complete the circuit of the condenser Ill through the movable contact 201 of the relay Ill, which connects the line ll with the line Ill, to the condenser Ill, which is connected to the line 39. Thus, the condenser Zll is charged. Upon the de-energization of the solenoid Ill of the relay Ill, the condenser Ill is connected to the solenoid Ill; through the- Thus, the

circuit from the line 40', through the solenoid I61 and the condenser "58, is discontinued by the movable contact 213 of the relay I52, the condenser I6B maintains the solenoid I61 of the relay I48 energized for a predetermined period of time to maintain the solenoid 28 of the valve 24 energized and the pressure of the electrodes on the work, notwithstanding, the discontinuance of the intermittent flow of the welding current. This afiords opportunity for the weld to cool and harden. I

Upon the discharge of the condenser I68, the movable contact I oi the relay I48 opens and the solenoid 28 of the valve 24 is de-energized, the valve 24 is closed with reference to the transmission of the pressure to the booster 25, the welder 20 releases the work, and, during a period as determined by the adjustment of the condenser 205, the welder may be moved, with respect to the work, to locate the welder for the production of a succeeding weld.

The condenser 205 discharges through the solenoid 210 of the relay I82 and, upon completion of the discharge of the condenser 205, the

movable contact 2l3 reestablishes the circuit of the solenoid I61 of the relay 148 and the condenser IGB, whereupon the cycle of operation begins anew, provided the switch 4| is maintained closed by the operator.

In order to prevent discontinuance of the operation of the welder, during the welding time and the weld-cooling time, the relay I43 is provided with a movable contact 2, which is connected across the lines leading to and from the switch 4|, during the time that the solenoid of the relay I43 is de-energized. The movable contact 2", thus, maintains the circuit closed to prevent discontinuance of the welding and weldcooling operation.

In the, timer-control system shown in the figures, a rectifier and a condenser are connected to a source of supply oi alternating current. If desired, the condenser may be omitted, which will produce a unidirectional pulsating current. Also, any source of direct current may be used, in place of the rectifier, to charge the condensers. or may be discharged through resistance to produce periods of discharge of desired lengths or the desired periods of discharge of the condensers may be produced by using condensers having certain capacities that discharge through circuits having certain resistances.

The solenoids of the relays, which are energized by the dielectric currents of the condenser of the systems shown in the drawings, have high resistances to reduce the amperage of the dielectric current to enable.accurate control of the time periods of flow by adjustment of the capacities of the condensers. The same result may be accomplished by a variable resistance in series with the solenoids, which may be adjusted to vary the amperage of the dielectric currents and, consequently, to vary periods of the discharge. Also, if desired, both the resistance and the condenser, in each case, may be, independently, adjustable to produce a final adjustment that is producible by adjustment of either the condenser or the resistance alone.

I claim:

1. In a'tirner control system for actuating first and second translating means, the combination of first and second condensers, means for'supplying charging current to said first condenser, control means, means including circuit connec- Also, the condensers may have capacities tions responsive to said control means for dissaid second condenser effective to discharge the energy stored therein and actuate said second translating means.

2. In a timer control system, the combination of first and second electro-responsive elements, first and second condensers, means for supp ying charging current to said condensers, and control means including circuit connections for rendering said first and second condensers respectively 'eflective to supply discharge current to said first and second electro-responsive elements, means responsive to the'discharge current from each said condenser for controlling the discharge circuit connections for the other condenser and for enabling each said condenser to be supplied with charging current from said first-mentioned means during the period that the other condenser is discharging.

3. In a control system for determining successive timing periods, first and second electroing current to said second condenser and for enabling said second condenser to discharge through said second electro-responsive element so as to determine another of said periods.

4. .In a. timing control system for determining successive timing periods, first and second translating means respectively operative when actuated to control said periods, first and second condensers and means including circuit connections associated therewith for delivering charging current to said condensers, control means operable to interrupt the charging connection for said first condenser and toconnect said first translating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser, and control means operated as a consequence of the discharge of energy from said first condenser for interrupting the charging connection to said lating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser,

and control means operated by said first transthe connection between a work circuit and a source of power, first and second translating means for controlling said connection, first and second condensers and means including circuit connections associated therewith for delivering charging current'to said condensers, control means operable to interrupt the charging connection for said first condenser and to connectsaid first translating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser, control means operable after said actuation for interrupting the charging connection for said second condenser and for connecting said second translating means to said second condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said second condenser, said first-mentioned control means being operated by said second translating means, and said second mentioned control means being operated by said first translating means. v

7. In a timing control system for controlling a work circuit having active and idle periods, a translating means for controlling the length of certain of said periods, a condenser, means including circuit connections for connecting said condenser to a source of charging current, said circuit connections being normally complete so so: one of said intervals, and means operably responsivetosaidfirsttranslatingmeans atthe expiration of said one interval for interrupting the charging connections for the second con- ,denser and for connecting the corresponding translating'means thereto for actuation by the energy stored therein, said energy of said second condenser maintaining said last mentioned translating ,means actuated ior another or said intervals. I

10. In a timing control system for controlling the connection between a work circuit and a source of power, first and second translating means for controlling said connection, first and second condensers and meansincluding circuit connections associated therewith for delivering charging current to said condensers, control means operable to interrupt the charging connection for said first condenser and to connect said first translating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser, said energy maintaining said first translating means actuated for a first period of predetermined length, control means operable after said actuation for interrupting the charging connection ior said second condenser and ior connecting said second translating means to said second condenser ior actuation by the energy stored in said second condenser, said energy of said second condenser maintaining said second translating means actuated ior a second period 0! predetermined length, said first mentioned control means being operated by said second translating means, and said second-mentioned control means being operated by said first translating means.

11. In a timing control system for controllin the connection between a work circuit and a source of power, first and second translating means operative when actuated to control said connection, first and second condensers and means including circuit connections associated therewith for delivering charging current to said condensers, control means operable to interrupt 48 the charging connection for said first condenser ing circuit connections for connecting the concharge current from said one of the condensers to interrupt the charging connections for another of the condensers and to initiate the flow of discharge current from said last mentioned one of the condensers.

9. In a control system for providing successive timing intervals each of predetermined length, first and second condensers associated respectively with said intervals, means ificluding circuit connections for-supplying charging current to said condensers, translating means individual to said condensers and operative when actuated to provide said timing intervals, control means for interrupting the charging connections for the first condenser and connecting the corresponding translating means thereto for actuation by the energy stored therein, said energy maintaining and to connect said first translating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser, said energy maintaining said first translating means actuated for a first period of predetermined length, control means operable after said actuation for interrupting the charging connection for said second condenser and for connecting said second translating means to said second condenser for actuation bythe energy stored'in said second condenser, said energy of said second condenser maintaining said second translating means actuated for a second period of predetermined length,

' said firstmentioned control means being operated by said second translating means, said second mentioned control means being operated by said first translating means, and additional timing means for determining the length of the period throughout which the condensers are eflective to so actuate said translating means.

12. In a timing control system for controlling the connection between a work circuit and a source or power, first and second translating means operative when actuated to control said connection, first and second condensers and means including circuit connections associated Y therewith for delivering charging current to said condensers, control means operable to interrupt the charging connection for said first condenser said corresponding translating means actuated and to connect said first translating means to said first condenser for actuation by the energy stored in said first condenser, control means operable after said actuation i'or interrupting the charging connection for said second condenser and for connecting said second translating means to said second condenser for actuation 'by the energy stored in said second condenser, said firstmentioned control means being operated by said aaoawo 

